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Player Notes

  • Explodes for 36 points in Game 5
    Irving ended with 36 points (14-27 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Irving's 36 points tied Luka Doncic for a game-high mark and was his second-highest scoring tally of the playoffs so far. Irving's masterful performance helped clinch the series over Minnesota in which he averaged 27.0 points, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds on 49.0/37.5/80.8 shooting splits across the five games. The 31-year-old guard will now face the Celtics in his fourth career NBA Finals appearance. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:45 pm
  • Mike Conley posts 7/4/2/2 line in Game 5 loss
    Mike Conley recorded a stat line of seven points (2-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 21 minutes in Thursday’s 124-103 loss to the Mavericks.

    Advice: Dealing with a strained right soleus muscle throughout the conference finals, Conley only played 21 minutes on Thursday. The nature of Game 5 had much to do with that, as Dallas blew things wide open during the first quarter and did not look back. This was a rough end for a veteran point guard who played in 76 games after injuries limited him to 24 the season prior. Conley’s scoring average decreased by over two points but still provided top 75 per-game value in 9-cat formats. Expecting that level of production from him would be unrealistic, especially since he’ll turn 37 in October, but Conley is undoubtedly capable. Rotoworld Thursday, 9:01 pm
  • Luka Doncic comes out hot, finishes with 36 points
    Luka Doncic shot 14-of-22 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Thursday’s 124-103 win over the Timberwolves, tallying 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and six 3-pointers in 37 minutes.

    Advice: After failing to close out Minnesota in Game 4, Doncic and the Mavericks left no doubt in Game 5 on Thursday. He outscored the Timberwolves by himself in the first quarter, dropping 20 points to Minnesota’s 19. After that start, the outcome was not in doubt, and Doncic will make his first NBA Finals appearance next Thursday in Boston. The Celtics’ perimeter defenders can offer more defensive resistance, but Luka should benefit from the time off before the Finals begin. Rotoworld Thursday, 7:59 pm
  • Heats up off bench in Game 4
    Hardy posted 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and one rebound across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Hardy has yet to play more than 12 minutes in any game in the series, and he's yet to log more than 15 minutes in any playoff appearance this season, but he made the most of his time in this Game 4 loss. The lack of minutes he's seen suggests this was a one-off outburst, however, so fantasy managers shouldn't trust him in Game 5 of the series Thursday. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:08 am
  • Decent output in Game 4 loss
    McConnell provided 15 points (7-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: McConnell was tasked with handling a bigger role throughout the series, and that was even more noticeable with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined for the final two contests. The veteran floor general looked good off the bench, but he wasn't able to complete the comeback on his own. McConnell scored in double digits in three of the four games of the series, including reaching the 15-point plateau in the last two. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:47 pm
  • Shines in bigger role
    Nembhard totaled 24 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though the Pacers were swept by the Celtics, one positive outcome of this series was Nembhard's excellent play, which proved he's more than ready to handle a more prominent role in the offensive scheme. Nembhard ended his postseason run by scoring in double digits in seven appearances in a row, reaching the 20-point mark in three of the last five. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:44 pm
  • Sniffs double-double in Game 4
    Holiday ended Monday's 105-102 victory over the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals with 17 points (7-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds and two assists over 38 minutes.

    Advice: Holiday was deemed available despite being initially tabbed questionable due to an illness for the second game in a row, and he made his presence felt as a do-it-all, two-way guard in an offensive scheme in which he occupies a secondary role. Despite the fact Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown often carry the Celtics, Holiday had some excellent performances against the Pacers, averaging 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game in the series. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:40 pm
  • Derrick White racks up eight ‘stocks’ in Game 4
    Derrick White amassed 16 points (7-of-14 FGs), four rebounds, four assists, five steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers in 42 minutes in Monday’s Game 4 win over Indiana.

    Advice: The Celtics completed their four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals, once again being the team that executed better in crunch time. White’s 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining was the difference in Game 4, and he was highly productive across the board. Shooting 50% from the field, he was also responsible for a staggering eight “stocks” in the series clincher. Boston also got a good night from Jrue Holiday, who added 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Boston has one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA, and they’ll be tested in the NBA Finals, especially if Dallas takes care of its business in the West. Rotoworld Monday, 8:03 pm
  • Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) out for Game 4 Mon.
    Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring soreness) will not play in Monday’s game against the Celtics.

    Advice: Despite their season being on the line, the Pacers will not roll the dice with the health of their cornerstone point guard. Head coach Rick Carlisle announced during his pregame availability that the All-Star point guard will not play in Game 4. Ben Sheppard started Game 3 but failed to score, so DFS players can avoid slotting him into their lineups. Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell will be much better choices. Rotoworld Monday, 3:29 pm